Anrich Nortje stars in South Africa's win over SL in T20 World Cup

South Africa pace bowler Anrich Nortje knocked back the disappointment of Indian Premier League (IPL) and two wicketless T20 Internationals against West Indies to help his side beat Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup on a tricky pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. This was the opening game of Group D, which also includes Bangladesh and Nepal.

The right-armer, who endured a stress fracture in his back last year and missed the ODI World Cup in India, picked 4/7 as the Proteas romped home to a six-wicket win, crossing the score of 77 made by Sri Lanka and reaching 80 with 22 balls to spare.

Pacer Kagiso Rabada picked 2/21 and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took 2/22.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, but found the going tough early on, as South Africa bowlers extracted extra bounce from the surface.

Ottneil Baartman struck with his first ball to remove Pathum Nissanka, before Keshav Maharaj stepped in with two wickets in an over to leave the innings in tatters.

The introduction of Anrich Nortje as the fifth bowler saw no let-up for the Lankan batters, as the Protea pacer returned phenomenal figures of 4/7 in his four overs, ending any lingering hopes of a first-innings recovery.

Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and Angelo Mathews were the only batters to reach double figures in a hugely disappointing display from Sri Lanka, whose innings ended with a run-out as they posted just 77 in 19.1 overs.

Cricket, South Africa, Sri Lanka, T20 World Cup